The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

This weekend only

A close-up portrait painting in a realistic style, featuring a woman with curly, dark hair looking directly at the viewer.
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Nathalie Anne: Held In Line

An exhibition that explores what endures when materials meet, transform, and leave their traces.

A hand-drawing of a strong bull with curved horns, rearing up in a cloud of dust, on a red background.
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All Bull: A Play in One Act

A surreal tragicomedy that examines modern Australian toxic masculinity and drinking culture.

A musician holding a violinist under his arm, seated on a surreal natural setting featuring acacia wattle and gum leaves, as if floating in space against a pale background.
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Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Overgrown Paths

Violinist Sophie Rowell and Helen Morse lead a luminous fusion of poetry and music.

A seated audience in an auditorium, seen from above.
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Melbourne Writers Festival

A four-day celebration of more than 150 visionary writers and storytellers that shape our world.

Vocalists Emily Williams and Greg Gould smiling in front of a gold sparkling backdrop.

The Gospel According to George Michael and Whitney Houston

Celebrate the songs of Whitney Houston and George Michael performed by two fine vocalists.

Table set with decorated glassware and cups, with snacks.

Mother's Day Studio Sessions at Myer: Maxwell & Williams

Celebrate Mother's Day with high tea and a paint and sip class.

An oil painting of the French royal family eating a sumptuous feast on the eve of the Revolution, with an audience looking on.

Illicit Pleasures: Food and Feasts in French Art, Literature

Join Sylvia Sagona for a lecture exploring the relationship between French food, art and literature.

Hands opposite each other bringing two tulip cocktail glasses together in a celebratory clinking motion.
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Autumn Sunset Cocktails at Walsh Street

Open the door to Robin Boyd’s iconic Walsh Street residence after-hours for Autumn Sunset Cocktails.

A still from the Indonesian romance film Rangga & Cinta, showing a young man and woman smiling and walking side by side.
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Indonesian Film Festival

A three day celebration of Indonesian cinema with screenings and Q&As.

The grand arched entrance and central dome of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, viewed through a frame of green tree branches with a fountain in the centre foreground.
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Royal Exhibition Building Open Day

Enjoy a weekend of activities, history, performances, exhibitions, food trucks and more.

Singers Paulini and Tim Campbell on stage with a back-up singer and a projection of bright neon stars behind them.

Electrifying 80s

Grab your crew and don't miss an unforgettable night with this dynamic live concert experience.

A black and white image of a close up of a cello.

Shadow Resonance

An evening of ambient, classical crossover and experimental live music performance.

A classic portrait of Beethoven.

Classic Kids: Beethoven’s Gaming Quest

What if Beethoven was a video game composer?

Melbourne Cemetery with graves in foreground and city buildings in the background.

Unearthing Melbourne Chinese History

Join a two-hour guided tour exploring the Chinese graves within Melbourne's historic cemetery.

A portrait of Joshua Moshe,a young man with short dark hair and a closely cropped beard, looking at the camera, wearing a dark green top.

Joshua Moshe

Genre-blending jazz and electronic innovation collide.

Members of an orchestra performing on stage at Hamer Hall.

Symphony in a Day

Conductor Nathaniel Griffiths leads community musicians alongside musicians of the MSO.

The four members of Invictus Quartet, each wearing a different coloured suit, jumping up in the air from a grassy hill, while holding their instruments, against a blue sky background.

Invictus Quartet Live

Join Invictus Quartet on an epic musical adventure when they perform live at Fortress Melbourne.

Two guitarists playing their instruments on stage with two drummers behind them.

Hydra: The Australian Toto Show

The Australian Toto Show is a must-see event for Toto fans, musicians and live music lovers alike.

Twins performing on stage wearing bright pink dresses with silver details, singing into microphones.

Dolly Parton: Double Down

Join the Audrey Twins as they present a perfect blend of music and comedy.

Several rows of people painting on canvases in a room with large, colourful wall murals.

Afrobeats Paint Jam

Get ready to vibe with Afrobeat tunes, paint your heart out, and sing your favorite karaoke jams.

A portrait of a person with straight dark hair against a dark background.

The Next Big Thing: Melbourne Writers Festival Edition

Six of Australia’s best emerging literary voices share their work. Note: sold out

North Melbourne AFL football player with his arm raised in the air, and cheering, on the field during a match.

AFL Round 9: North Melbourne v Sydney Swans

The blue and white versus the red and white as North Melbourne take on Sydney Swans.

A white plaster bust sculpture of a Greek goddess, used as a planter with dried plants and herbs arranged in the top opening.

Magic and Medicine: Rituals of Wellbeing

Discover the practices of magic and medicine in ancient Greece, and create your own concoction.

A black silhouetted of a man holding a sword and a conductor's baton against a background similar to a Nintendo game with green hills and pixelated sky.

Classic Kids: Beethoven's Gaming Quest

What if Beethoven composed for video games?

Geelong AFL football players on the field during a match.

AFL Round 9: Geelong Cats v Collingwood

Watch Geelong host Collingwood at the MCG during Round 9.

The four female members of the Flinders String Quartet posing in front of a vintage yellow and green Melbourne tram.

Flinders Quartet Community Concert

Flinders Quartet present a relaxed, 45-minute free community concert.

A high tea spread with heart-shaped scones in a silver basket, cups of tea and playing cards on the table.

Mother's Day High Tea

Indulge in a Mother's Day high tea experience at The Waiting Room at Crown.

Women's netballers during a game, one player holding the ball while others surround her.

SSN Round 9: Melbourne Vixens vs Queensland Firebirds

Start with Mother's Day lunch, then watch the Vixens take on the Firebirds.

A Richmond AFL football player celebrating with his arms raised above him, on the field during a match.

AFL Round 9: Richmond v Adelaide Crows

Come along to the 'G on Sunday afternoon to witness the Tigers hosting the Crows.

Portrait of a subtly smiling young woman with short brown hair, wearing a pink and blue striped knitted jumper.

Shut Up and Write

Write alongside others, without comparison or competition.

A pink, heart-shaped box lying open with three pink truffles inside.

Mother's Day Breakfast Buffet Brunch

A truly exceptional brunch that is guaranteed to pamper, indulge and spoil your Mum.

A woman in a floral strapless dress holding a small plate and champagne glass, seated behind a three-tiered cake stand with small delicacies.

A Love Letter to Mum: Mother’s Day High Tea

Celebrate the women who have shaped your life with an elegant Mother's Day High Tea.

A group of marathon runners in a park posing and looking happy.

Mother's Day Classic

Join the Mother’s Day Classic to raise awareness and funds for breast and ovarian cancer.

An actor in a suit, shirt and tie, holding a pair of glasses under his chair, with curly brown hair, looking serious.
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Julius Caesar

A thrilling new production of Shakespeare’s political masterpiece.

A top-down view of a high tea spread featuring a variety of sweet and savoury treats arranged on a wooden table.

Mother's Day by Dorsett Melbourne x T6 Pâtisserie

This high tea honours the mums and mother figures who deserve to be celebrated.

Portrait of Canadian political commentator, David Moscrop, wearing red glasses, a mustard t-shirt and an open blue hooded jumper.

David Moscrop: Too Dumb for Democracy

Political commentator, David Moscrop, explains what's going wrong in today's political landscape.

A Melbourne AFL football player on the field during a match with his arms in the air cheering himself on.

AFL Round 9: Melbourne v West Coast Eagles

Come along to Marvel Stadium to catch all the action between Melbourne and West Coast Eagles.

Poet Ariana Reines, a woman with curly long hair, wearing heavy dark rimmed glasses.

Ariana Reines in Conversation

Hear poet Ariana Reines with Rebecca Harkins-Cross, for Melbourne Writers Festival.

Bowls of food on a workshop table during a cooking workshop.

Hands-On Traditional Gnocchi Making Masterclass

Learn to make traditional potato gnocchi from scratch in a relaxed, hands-on masterclass.

People standing at workstations with cooking equipment during a workshop.

Brunch Masterclass

Learn how to cook poached eggs, hollandaise, cured kingfish with Prosecco to start.

Pink celebration cake with white chocolate ribbon decoration.

Brunetti Classico

Limited-edition seasonal cake, plus flower cart & extended hours (7am–10pm). Sun 10 May

Special offer

Regular weekend events

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
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Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

A stand-up comedian talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Festival Showcase

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

A large dinosaur model with its mouth open in a park setting.
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Dinos at the Zoo

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

A stylised image of a woman with long red hair wearing a red V-neck shimmering dress, laughing with her head tiled back, seated in a red armchair with a red velvet curtain backdrop, an ice bucket with a bottle of Champagne on the table next to her.
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Piper's Playhouse

Step inside Piper's Melbourne’s most immersive cabaret.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Three people standing for a selfie on the ground at the MCG.
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Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
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Swinging 60s

Did the sixties really swing in Victoria? A new exhibition from the Old Treasury Building.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Running tour jogging along a Yarra pathway with towers in the background.
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Yarra Sunrise Running Tour

Run Melbourne’s parks, landmarks and Yarra River at sunrise on this 8km tour with coffee to finish.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
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DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

Interior of a bar decorated with colourful lamps, small paintings hanging on the red walls, with small tables and chairs arranged in the space.
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Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

A person pouring out a measure of Aperol into a metal measuring cup.
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Cocktail Making Class

Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
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Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

Person looking at a display in a glass case, rows of colourful books in the background.
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World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

A concrete green water trough for horses to drink from, in a Melbourne city street.
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Footsteps Through Time: Melbourne's History Walk

Step into Melbourne’s past on this two-hour guided walking tour of laneways and hidden stories.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
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Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
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Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with the tour guide pointing at plant specimen.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Diners seated at a table and eating from plates that have designs projected onto them from above, as part of an immersive visual art and food experience.
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7 Paintings Dining Experience

A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Three coloured gin-based cocktails with platters of snacks.
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Gin-dulgent High Tea Experience

Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.

A green linocut of a flower and foliage printed on paper and a fabric tote bag.
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Tote Bag Block Printing Workshop

Style your bag just the way you like it with block printing in this beginner's workshop.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
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Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

Four people on a tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, seated in a foyer, with a large mural behind them.
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Arts Centre Melbourne Tours

Explore the rich heritage and striking architecture of Victoria’s performing arts icon.

The open-sided Explorer Bus at Royal Botanic Melbourne Gardens on a path with foliage.
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The Explorer Bus Melbourne

Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis from the comfort of an open-air minibus.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

A seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

Three illuminated lamps with cylindrical parchment or fabric shades, decorated with various pressed flowers and small human figures.
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Pressed Flower Lamp Making Workshop

Make your room colourful and vibrant with your own pressed flower lamp.

An ancient Roman marble bust with its nose chipped off, displayed on a small square plinth.
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Rome: Empire, Power, People

This Melbourne-exclusive exhibition is a vibrant exploration of Ancient Rome.

A black cat and a white cat, connected to each other by threads.
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Thought Experiment

Dive into meaningful 'what ifs' with curious, creative minds at this social meet-up.

Small sculpture made from coloured glass displayed on a wooden base and white pedestal.
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Robert Croft and Cam Michael

Artists Robert Croft and Cam Michael present their solo exhibitions at Jump Left.

Floral accessorie made from silk and beads.
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French Embroidery Workshop

Learn to craft an anemone brooch, from hand-dyeing silk to beadwork.

A man holding a wooden charcuterie board with a selection of cheese and meats, a woman in an apron standing next to him; a deli counter in the background.
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A Taste of Melbourne: Laneways, Boroughs, Bites and Brews

Taste the best of Melbourne on a half day city food and drink tour, departing morning or afternoon.

A tour guide talking to people in the Carlton Gardens, autumn leaves on the grass, the Royal Exhibition Building just visible in the background.
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Badass Women of Melbourne: Women's History Walking Tour

Take a guided walk to uncover the hidden stories of everyday women who shaped Melbourne.

A person holding paintbrushes stands in an art studio with a colorful abstract painting hanging on the wall.
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Anna Pelc: All the Places I’ve Been

A retrospective exhibition that brings together artworks created over the past decade.

A standing toddler banging on an African drum while an adult woman looks on encouragingly.
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Groovy Tunes

Groove with your little one to Ghanaian tunes and rhythms.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Federation square on a sunny day overlooking Flinders Station and the city skyline

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.